Proposed bill would require school officials to tell parents if student is LGBTQ+
A bill has been proposed in the Mississippi House of Representatives that would require school administrators and teachers to tell parents if their…
lgbtq
MS Rising Coalition asking Harrison County School District for change in graduation dress code
The Mississippi Rising Coalition confronted the Harrison County School District at the school board meeting. "I know a man that never wore…
Gulf Coast VA responds to backlash over flying Pride flag
The Gulf Coast VA has received some backlash for flying a Pride flag. The VA told News 25 that they have been receiving call after call…
Man indicted in death of still-missing Ole Miss student
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — A man has been indicted on a capital murder charge in the death of a University of Mississippi student who went missing last summer and whose body has not been found, police said Wednesday. The Oxford…
Residents discuss LGBTQ+ books at Harrison County Library Board Meeting
The Harrison County Library Board had quite a busy afternoon. Harrison County residents concerned about the presentation of LGBTQ+ books at the library addressed the board Monday…
Local reactions to transgender athlete bill
One local mother of a 13-year-old transgender daughter says the bill banning transgender athletes from participating in girls sports is another example of the government portraying trans women as dangerous. Katey Vinstead’s daughter Emily has not been…
Coast LGBTQ affirming church moves locations
June is Pride Month which is a time for members of the LGBTQ community to come together and feel accepted. Here on the Coast there is an unusual meeting space for many members of the LGBTQ community to gather. It’s…
First LGBTQ affirming church on the Coast
With recent talks of a military transgender ban, many members of the LGBTQ community say they have felt chastised. There is a place right here on the Coast that wants to make everyone feel right at home. Once a week,…
PLANS FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE PROHIBITED FROM SERVICE MOVES FORWARD
A plan to prohibit transgender people from serving in the military can move forward. Today, the Supreme Court, in a five to four split, reversing lower-court rulings which tabled president trump's policy as cases moved through the courts. While also…
Gulf Coast Equality Fest
The LGBTQ community was colorful and full of pride at this year’s Gulf Coast Equality Fest on Saturday at Harrah’s Great Lawn. Hundreds came out to have fun with friends and bring awareness to equality. A hope board was filled…
Pride Day 2018
Locals are gearing up to celebrate Pride Day in South Mississippi. With Pride Month coming to an end, the Gulf Coast Association of Pride invites South Mississippi to Pride Day 2018 on Saturday at Point Cadet in east Biloxi. For…
Gay pride parade organizers sue Mississippi city over denial
Two women are suing a Mississippi college town over its denial of a permit for a gay pride parade. Mississippi State University students Bailey McDaniel and Emily Turner filed the federal lawsuit Monday against the city of Starkville. City aldermen,…
Bartender at Sipps Bar receives unusual phone
Last week, Kara Coley, a bartender at Sipps Bar, received an unusual phone call that has now gone viral across the world after she posted to Facebook about a mother who had a question about her son. Coley explains the…
LGBT community reacts to court’s decision
While the LGBT community continues to fight against a Mississippi law they view as a violation of gay rights, the Supreme Court is choosing to look away. Mississippi justices refuse to hear cases challenging House Bill 1523. Those in our…
Ingalls scores one hundred percent for LGBTQ equality
Huntington Ingalls Industries is rated best place to work for the LGBTQ Equality Human Rights Campaign. Announced today, Ingalls scored one hundred percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2018 corporate national survey. The data collected stems from corporate practices…
HB 1523 goes into effect
The controversial house bill HB 1523 is now in effect across Mississippi. The measure went into effect after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a lower federal court ruling striking down the law as unconstitutional. HB 1523 specifically allows…
Trump bans transgenders in the military
Today, President Donald Trump announced a ban on transgender people serving in the military on Twitter. This policy will affect thousands of transgender troops in the military. Some local residents are speaking out about Trump’s decision. It’s a series of…
Freedom to Marry
Each year, the Supreme Court makes decisions on various cases that can sometimes change the lives of millions of Americans. In 2015, they did just that. News 25’s Tanner Stewart takes a closer look inside the freedom to marry. It…
LGBTQ activist disagrees with murder sentence for transgender woman’s murder
Activists from the Coast’s transgender community say the sentencing for the brutal murder of 25-year-old Dee Whigham is far from enough. Former Navy sailor Dwanya Hickerson was sentenced to 40 years for second degree murder and 15 years for robbery…
Same-sex wedding cake controversy
It’s a battle between religious rights and equal treatment. The Supreme Court agrees to hear an appeal from a Christian, bakery-owner who refused service to a same-sex couple in Colorado. The high profile case won’t be heard until the fall,…
‘Transality’ discussion panel at USM Gulf Coast
It’s an open forum that discusses strategies to help reduce discrimination faced by transgender and other gender non-conforming people. The Transgender Education and Advocacy Program of Mississippi held a discussion panel at the USM Gulf Coast campus for those to…
Mississippi Public Schools to Follow State Transgender Bathroom Use
Mississippi’s state board of education has decided to switch its stance on transgender restroom use. Just a few weeks ago, Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright announced the department would abide by federal guidelines ordering all public schools in the U.S. to…
Being Religious in 2015
A Baptist pastor, Catholic parishioner and a lesbian couple sat down with News 25’s Shelby Myers to discuss the hardships of holding to their religious faith in an ever-changing America.
The Coast LGBTQ Community
What’s it like to walk a day in the shoes of someone who is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender?